Entrance Gateway, Tower and Garden Wall, Viewpark

A mid-19th century group of red sandstone garden buildings in the Jacobean style, possibly by Glasgow architect John Baird, located at the northwest corner of Viewpark Gardens on New Edinburgh Road, Viewpark. The group was restored in 2000.

The ensemble comprises an arched gateway with ornate bellcote and chimney; a hot wall (heated garden wall) with fire grate, internal flues and castellated coping; a two-stage square-plan tower (former fruit-store and shelter) with hood-moulded windows, timber doors, carved dentil cornice and pyramid roof, accessed via a stone forestair with cast-iron railing to the upper level; a section of castellated garden wall at right-angles with the crowstep gable of the former stable; and an adjoining wall with decorative insets extending west from the corner tower. Together these form a Z-plan composition. The corner tower contains an internal fireplace which heats the external garden wall.

The garden at Viewpark was well established by 1850, with a large greenhouse and detached vinery recorded in sales particulars. While the garden gateway is not mentioned in the 1850 particulars, its style is consistent with John Baird's circa 1840 house, though this attribution cannot be confirmed. The design may equally date from slightly later, constructed in keeping with the existing house. The property was acquired by industrialist Robert Addie around 1850, who developed the house and estate further. Historic mapping shows the garden plan remained relatively unchanged between 1858 and 1935.

Viewpark House was demolished in the early 1950s, around which time Lanarkshire County Council acquired part of the estate for housing. While some garden structures were removed, the ornamental gateway, tower pavilion and associated structures were retained. North Lanarkshire Council subsequently developed the gardens with four linked glasshouses and demonstration garden areas. In 2001, the Council received a Highly Commended certificate from the Historic Gardens Foundation for the restoration of the garden entrance, tower, heated wall and reintroduction of espaliered peach trees. One of two ornate chimneys formerly flanking the gateway bellcote was removed after 2001.